System and method for wireless AED docking

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system comprises a removable interface module and wireless dock for an automated external defibrillator. The removable interface module includes a first processor, a first memory and first low-power radio transceiver communicatively coupled with the first processor and configured to receive status information from the automated external defibrillator. The removable interface module further includes a wireless power receiver and a rechargeable energy storage device electrically coupled with the wireless power receiver and configured to receive power wirelessly for the removable interface module. The wireless dock includes a second processor, a second memory and second low-power radio transceiver communicatively coupled with the second processor and configured to receive the status information from the removable interface module when the automated external defibrillator is powered off and transmit the status information through a networking interface. The wireless dock further comprises a wireless power transmitter.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/806,526, filed on Mar. 29, 2013, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to a system and method for wirelesslydocking an automated external defibrillator (AED).

BACKGROUND

Sudden health problems such as sudden cardiac arrest and injuries causedby accidents kill thousands of people and cause permanent injury everyyear. Fast and competent care to resuscitate such victims of theseproblems can be essential to positive outcomes in such situations. Forexample, it is said that the chance of surviving a sudden cardiac arrestfalls by ten percent for every minute of delay in providing effectivetreatment.

Resuscitation treatments for patients suffering from cardiac arrestgenerally include clearing and opening the patient's airway, providingrescue breathing for the patient, and applying chest compressions toprovide blood flow to the victim's heart, brain, and other vital organs.If the patient has a shockable heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation orpulseless ventricular tachycardia), resuscitation also may includedefibrillation therapy using an AED, for example. Along with suchaction, an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal for the patient may beelectronically captured, displayed, and monitored, so that rescuers candetermine when the patient's heart has returned to normal or near-normaloperation, and determine when the heart exhibits a shockable rhythm.About half of patients who suffer ventricular fibrillation (VF) have arecurrence of VF within minutes of successful VF conversion, which maythen require reconversion. Patient odds of survival fall with repeatedVF recurrence during resuscitation.

Survivability of a cardiac arrest patient may often depend on theavailability of an AED in good working condition. Like any sophisticatedelectronic device, an AED requires periodic servicing to ensure it willbe ready and available in the event of an emergency. Prompt AEDservicing may depend on the length of time it takes to determine when anAED requires servicing, the type of servicing that is required andscheduling of personnel to provide the service for the AED.

SUMMARY

An example of a system according to the disclosure comprises a removableinterface module for an automated external defibrillator, comprising: afirst processor; a first memory and first low-power radio transceivercommunicatively coupled with the first processor and configured toreceive status information from the automated external defibrillator; awireless power receiver; and a rechargeable energy storage deviceelectrically coupled with the wireless power receiver and configured toreceive power wirelessly for the removable interface module; and awireless dock for an automated external defibrillator, comprising: asecond processor; a second memory and second low-power radio transceivercommunicatively coupled with the second processor and configured toreceive the status information from the removable interface module whenthe automated external defibrillator is powered off and transmit thestatus information through a networking interface; and a wireless powertransmitter configured to be coupled with a power source and transmitpower wirelessly to the removable interface module when the removableinterface module is within range.

In an example of the system discussed above, the first processor andfirst memory are configured to receive status information from theautomated external defibrillator without the removable interface moduleutilizing power from the automated external defibrillator.

In an example of the system discussed above, the wireless power receiveris configured to receive power wirelessly from the wireless powertransmitter and store the power in the rechargeable energy storagedevice when the automated external defibrillator is powered off.

In an example of the system discussed above, the wireless dock ispowered by at least one of an A/C power source, Ethernet cable andbattery.

In an example of the system discussed above, the networking interface isone of a wired networking interface and wireless networking interface.

In an example of the system discussed above, the status informationcomprises self-test diagnostic results of the automated externaldefibrillator.

In an example of the system discussed above, the status informationcomprises at least one electrode expiration date.

In an example of the system discussed above, the status informationcomprises an amount of energy delivered during a self-test shock by theautomated external defibrillator.

In an example of the system discussed above, the status informationcomprises information related to at least one code event.

In an example of the system discussed above, the second processor andsecond memory are configured to transmit the status information to oneof a data center and network management station.

In an example of the system discussed above, the second processor andsecond memory are configured to cause the removable interface module topower-on.

In an example of the system discussed above, the first processor andfirst memory are configured to receive software for the automatedexternal defibrillator from the wireless dock.

An example of a method according to the disclosure comprises receivingpower wirelessly from a wireless dock and storing the power in arechargeable energy storage device of a removable interface modulecommunicatively coupled with an automated external defibrillator;receiving status information from an automated external defibrillator ina first memory of the removable interface module; transmitting thestatus information from a first low-power radio transceiver of theremovable interface module to a second low-power radio transceiver of awireless dock when the automated external defibrillator is powered off;and transmitting the status information through a networking interfaceof the wireless dock.

In an example of the method discussed above, the receiving statusinformation from an automated external defibrillator occurs withoututilizing power from the automated external defibrillator.

In an example of the method discussed above, the receiving powerwirelessly from a wireless dock and storing the power in a rechargeableenergy storage device occurs when the automated external defibrillatoris powered off and within range of the wireless dock.

In an example of the method discussed above the wireless dock is poweredby at least one of an A/C power source, an Ethernet cable and battery.

In an example of the method discussed above, the networking interface isone of a wired networking interface and wireless networking interface.

In an example of the method discussed above, the status informationcomprises self-test diagnostic results of an automated externaldefibrillator.

In an example of the method discussed above, the status informationcomprises at least one electrode expiration date.

In an example of the method discussed above, the status informationcomprises an amount of energy delivered during a self-test shock.

In an example of the method discussed above, the status informationcomprises information related to at least one code event.

In an example of the method discussed above, the method comprisestransmitting the status information through the networking interface toone of a data center and network management station.

In an example of the method discussed above, the method comprisescausing the removable interface module to power on by transmitting asignal from the wireless dock.

In an example of the method discussed above, the removable interfacemodule is configured to receive software for the automated externaldefibrillator from the wireless dock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1a is a diagram showing an interface module and an AED according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1b is a diagram showing an interface module electrically andphysically coupled with an AED according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2a is a diagram showing a system comprising a removable interfacemodule electrically and physically coupled with an AED and a wirelessdock mounted on a wall according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2b is a diagram showing the system of FIG. 2a mounted in a wallcabinet according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system comprising an interface modulecoupled with an AED and a wireless dock according to an embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting a method according to an exampleembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1a is a diagram showing an interface module 105 and an AED 110according to an embodiment of the invention. AED 110 may be any type ofautomated external defibrillator from any manufacturer with a capabilityof communicating status information to an interface module such asinterface module 105. For example, AED 110 may be the AED Plus® or AEDPro® manufactured by ZOLL Medical Corporation of Chelmsford, Mass.Status information may be any type of information or data related to anAED and/or accessories such as but not limited to configurationinformation, diagnostic information, troubleshooting/repair information,usage information, patient information, location information, code eventinformation and/or the like. For example, status information maycomprise self-test diagnostic results of the AED, at least one electrodeexpiration date, an amount of energy delivered during a self-test shockdelivered by an AED or information related to at least one code event.

In some embodiments, an interface module may be completely embeddedwithin an AED and non-removable. For example, an interface module may bepermanently affixed directly on the AED's motherboard and containedwithin the chassis of the AED.

In some embodiments, an interface module may be embedded within an AEDand removable. In some embodiments, an interface module such asinterface module 105 may be disposed at least partially external to anAED and removable. For example, an interface module may be a removableinterface module such as interface module 105 and capable ofelectrically and physically coupling and decoupling with AED 110.

Interface module 105 may include a serial data interface, parallel datainterface, Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface and/or like datainterface including a connector such as connector 115 to enablecommunication of data with an AED and to stay physically coupled andelectrically connected with the AED especially while the AED is beingtransported. Further, an AED such as AED 110 may comprise a slot such asslot 120 configured to receive connector 115 and allow interface moduleto reliably, electrically and physically couple with AED 110. Othermeans may be employed to reliably couple an interface module to an AEDsuch as using at least one screw, bolt or other fastener(s), forexample, such as screws 216 of FIG. 3.

If interface module connector 115 is a USB connector, the USB connectoritself may under certain conditions provide a means reliable and secureenough to ensure the external interface module 105 stays electricallyand physically connected with an AED. In other situations, a USBconnector may need to be further secured to the AED with a more secureand reliable means such as screws 216.

FIG. 1b is a diagram showing an interface module 105 electrically andphysically coupled with AED 110 according to an embodiment of theinvention. In the embodiment, removable interface module 105 has beeninserted into AED 110 with at least a portion 125 of interface module105 protruding beyond edge 130 of AED 110. In some embodiments, aremovable interface module may be fully inserted into AED 110 such thatthere are no external, protruding portions.

FIG. 2a is a diagram showing a system 200 comprising a removableinterface module 105 electrically and physically coupled with an AED 110and a wireless dock 220 mounted on a wall 203 according to an embodimentof the invention. FIG. 2b is a diagram showing the system 200 of FIG. 2amounted in a wall cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention.

In some embodiments, AED 110 may be powered off or in a sleep mode,ready to be used and mounted directly on wall 203 or within an AEDcabinet 212, for example, using a mounting or hanging means such as amounting hook 205. Wireless dock 220 may be mounted on wall 203 adjacentto AED 110 or behind AED 110. In some embodiments, a wireless dock maybe coupled with or integrated into at least part of an AED cabinet suchas AED cabinet 212. In some embodiments, wireless dock 220 along withAED 110 and interface module 105 are portable. For example, wirelessdock 220 and AED 110 including interface module 105 may be storedtogether in a case, bag or other container, which may be carried by auser or located in a vehicle.

In any case, wireless dock 220 may be located proximate to AED 110 sowireless dock 220 may communicate information wirelessly with interfacemodule 105 and so wireless dock 220 may supply power wirelessly tointerface module 105. A “wireless” dock refers to a dock's ability towirelessly communicate data with and/or deliver power to an AEDinterface module even though wireless dock may include wires such as apower cord and/or Ethernet cable, for example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system 200 comprising an interface module105 coupled with an AED 110 and a wireless dock 220 according to anembodiment of the invention. An interface module 105 such as interfacemodule 105 may comprise a processor 248, which may be any type ofprocessor including but not limited to an Intel microprocessor ormicrocontroller and a memory such as a volatile memory 256 or anon-volatile memory 254, for example, a FLASH memory or electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and/or the like.

Interface module 105 may comprise at least one processor such asprocessor 248 and at least one other processing component. Processor 248may comprise circuitry for implementing interface module features suchas receiving status information from AED 110, receiving and storingpower wirelessly received from wireless dock 220, determining a presentlocation of AED 110, wirelessly transmitting AED status information towireless dock 220 as well as other interface module functionality. Forexample, at least one processor 248 may comprise a digital signalprocessor device, a microprocessor device, a digital to analogconverter, other support circuits, and/or the like. Further, theprocessor 248 may comprise features to operate one or more softwareprograms for implementing interface module 105 functionality.

Volatile memory 256 and/or non-volatile memory 254 may comprise computerprogram code, which may be configured with processor 248 to execute oneor more subroutines to receive status information via communicationinterface 238 from AED 110 or receive AED software from wireless dock220 via interface 235. For example, the processor and memory of theremovable interface module may be configured to receive software for theAED from the wireless dock via wireless interface 232-262.

Volatile memory 256 may comprise a cache area for the temporary storageof data. Interface module 105 may use memory to store informationincluding computer program code to implement one or more features ofinterface module 105 including but not limited to receiving statusinformation from AED 110, receiving and storing power wirelesslyreceived from wireless dock 220, determining a present location of AED110, wirelessly transmitting AED status information to wireless dock220, receiving AED software from wireless dock 220 as well as otherinterface module functionality. Volatile memory 256 and/or anon-volatile memory 254 may be removable by a user.

Interface module 105 may comprise a data communication interface 238such as a serial data interface, parallel data interface, UniversalSerial Bus (USB) interface and/or the like including a connector such asconnector 120 to allow communication of data with AED110 and to stayphysically coupled and electrically connected with the AED especiallywhile the AED is being transported.

In an embodiment, the interface module 105 comprises at least oneantenna 232 for communicating with transmitter 234 and receiver 236.Transmitter 234 and/or receiver 236 are coupled with interface 235 toenable processor 248 to communicate wirelessly through antenna 232 withdevices such as wireless dock 220. Transmitter 234 and receiver 236 maybe packaged as a low-power radio transceiver such as a low-powerBluetooth transceiver and/or an IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN transceiver.Further, transmitter 234 and/or receiver 236 coupled with interface 235may be configured to communicate information such as status informationand/or location information such as GPS location information withwireless dock 220. The memory and low-power radio transceiver may becommunicatively coupled with the processor and configured to receivestatus information from an AED.

In some embodiments, interface module 105 further comprises a userinterface 250, which may include at least one input and/or output devicecoupled with processor 248 such as but not limited to a display, touchscreen, keyboard, keypad, mouse and/or the like. In an embodiment, adisplay coupled with processor 248 may be capable of displaying statusinformation and/or location information related to AED 110, for example,AED electrode expiration data, AED capacitor discharge data, batterystatus, GPS location information and/or the like. In some embodiments,user interface 250 may comprise a visual or audible beacon such but notlimited to a flashing light or alarm, which may be activated by a datacenter, network management station, interface module 105 or AED 110, forexample.

In some embodiments, a touch screen, keypad, keyboard, buttons and/orother input features may be included on interface module 105 to enable auser to enter data such as query, configuration and/or statusinformation.

In some embodiments, interface module 105 comprises an accelerometer todetect movement of AED 110 and/or interface module 105. Interface module105 may be configured to wake-up from a sleep mode when accelerometerdetects motion of AED 110. In some embodiments, interface module 105 maybe configured to send a signal to AED 110 to wake-up or power-on whenmotion is detected.

In some embodiments, interface module 105 further comprises at least oneenergy storage device 246, which may be rechargeable such as arechargeable battery and/or capacitor for providing power to interfacemodule 105. For example, the capacitor may be a super capacitor, whichmay provide a faster charging time than a battery. In some embodiments,interface module 105 further comprises a wireless power receiver 242 andwireless power controller 244 configured to receive power from awireless power transmitter such as wireless power transmitter 268 ofwireless dock 220. The rechargeable energy storage device may beelectrically coupled with the wireless power receiver and configured toreceive power wirelessly for the removable interface module.

In some embodiments, wireless power receiver 242 includes Qi-compliantwireless power technology developed by the Wireless Power Consortium(WPC), which was established in 2008. In some embodiments, wirelesspower receiver 242 may be the bq5101xB WPC 1.1 Compatible FullyIntegrated Wireless Power Receiver IC manufactured by Texas InstrumentsIncorporated. In some embodiments, interface module 105 may receive atleast some power from an AED such as AED 110. In other embodiments,interface module 105 receives no power from an AED such as AED 110. Insome embodiments, the processor and memory of the interface module areconfigured to receive status information from the AED without theremovable interface module utilizing power from the AED.

Interface module 105 may further comprise a location determining unit252 for determining the location of AED 110. In some embodiments,location determining unit 252 may comprise a global positioning system(GPS) receiver for receiving a geographic location of AED 110.

A wireless dock such as wireless dock 220 comprises a processor 286,which may be any type of processor including but not limited to an Intelmicroprocessor or microcontroller and a memory such as a volatile memory270 or a non-volatile memory 272, for example, a FLASH memory. Further,wireless dock 220 may comprise a plurality of processors and at leastone other processing component. Processor 286 may comprise circuitry forimplementing one or more wireless dock features. For example, at leastone processor 248 may comprise a digital signal processor device, amicroprocessor device, a digital to analog converter, other supportcircuits, and/or the like.

Volatile memory 270 may comprise a cache area for the temporary storageof data. Non-volatile memory 272 may comprise an electrically erasableprogrammable read only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, and/or the like.In an embodiment, wireless dock 220 may use memory to store informationincluding computer program code. Processor 286 coupled with volatilememory 270 and/or non-volatile memory 272 may be configured to implementone or more features of wireless dock 220 including, but not limited toreceiving AED information wirelessly from interface module 105,transmitting AED information to an external network element vianetworking interface 282, providing power to interface module 105 viawireless power transmitter 268 as well as other wireless dockfunctionality. Volatile memory 270 and/or a non-volatile memory 272 maybe removable and/or upgradable by a user.

Wireless dock 220 may comprise a wireless or wired networking interface282 such as an IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN interface, cellular interface orEthernet interface and/or the like, which may include a connector suchas Ethernet connector 284 to allow wireless dock 220 to communicateinformation including software such as AED information with anothernetworked element such as a data center computer via the Internet overEthernet cable 225, for example. For example, the processor and memoryof the wireless dock may be configured to transmit status information toone of a data center and network management station.

The wireless dock 220 may comprise at least one antenna 262 forcommunicating with transmitter 266 and receiver 264. Transmitter 266and/or receiver 264 are coupled with an interface 265 to enableprocessor 286 to communicate wirelessly through antenna 262 with devicessuch as interface module 105. Transmitter 266 and receiver 264 may bepackaged as a low-power radio transceiver such as a low-power Bluetoothtransceiver and/or an IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN transceiver. The memoryand low-power radio transceiver may be communicatively coupled with theprocessor and configured to receive status information from theremovable interface module when the AED is powered off and transmit thestatus information through a networking interface of the wireless dock,for example.

Processor 286 may be configured to provide at least one signal tointerface 265 and receive at least one signal from interface 265.Further, transmitter 266 and/or receiver 264 coupled with interface 265may be configured to transmit and receive information such as statusinformation and/or location information such as GPS location informationwith interface module 105.

In some embodiments, wireless dock 220 further comprises a userinterface 276, which may include at least one input and/or output devicecoupled with processor 286 such as but not limited to a display, touchscreen, keyboard, keypad, mouse and/or the like. In an embodiment, adisplay coupled with processor 286 may be capable of displaying statusinformation and/or location information related to an AED such as butnot limited to AED electrode expiration data, AED capacitor dischargedata, battery status, location information and/or the like. In someembodiments, a touch screen, keypad, keyboard, buttons and/or otherinput features may be included on wireless dock 262 to enable a user toenter data such as query, configuration and/or status information.

In some embodiments, wireless dock 220 further comprises a devicemanagement module 274, which allows wireless dock 220 to be managed by amanagement system over a network such as the Internet using, forexample, a Web-based management or Simple Network management Protocol(SNMP). A data center with access to the Internet, for example, mayrequest information from wireless dock 220 via network interface 282. IfWeb-based management is utilized, wireless dock 220 may further comprisean embedded Web Server, which may respond to Hyper Text TransferProtocol (HTTP) browser requests for information related to wirelessdock 220 and AED 110. A data center may query wireless dock 220 in orderto determine status information related to AED 110. Device managementmodule 274 of wireless dock 220 may respond by providing AED 110 statusinformation received from interface module 105 related to AED 110 suchas but not limited to data related to the result of the one or moreself-tests performed by AED 110, for example.

In some embodiments, wireless dock 220 may comprise a power sourceinterface 280 such as 120 A/C power interface including a transformer toreceive and convert A/C power from line 230 to power wireless dock 220.In some embodiments, wireless dock 220 may comprise at least one energystorage device 278 such as but not limited to a rechargeable battery asa backup in case A/C power from line 230 fails for any reason, forexample. In some embodiments, wireless dock may receive power from anEthernet cable such as Ethernet cable 225 using an IEEE Power overEthernet or Power over Ethernet Plus Standard, for example.

In some embodiments, wireless dock 220 comprises a wireless powertransmitter 268 and wireless power controller 269 configured to transmitpower to a wireless power receiver such as wireless power receiver 242of interface module 105. In some embodiments, wireless power transmitter268 includes Qi-compliant wireless power technology developed by theWireless Power Consortium (WPC). In some embodiments, wireless powertransmitter 268 may be the bq500410A Qi Compliant Free-PositioningWireless Power Transmitter manufactured by Texas InstrumentsIncorporated.

In some embodiments, wireless power transmitter is configured to becoupled with a power source such as power source 230 and transmit powerwirelessly to the removable interface module when the removableinterface module is within range. In some embodiments, the wirelesspower receiver is configured to receive power wirelessly from thewireless power transmitter and store the power in the rechargeableenergy storage device of the removable interface module when the AED ispowered off.

An AED such as AED 110 may be stored in an AED cabinet such as AEDcabinet 212 or hung on a wall when not in use. An AED may automaticallypower-on periodically while not in use and execute one or moreself-tests. For example, AED 110 may execute one or more diagnosticself-tests which may include testing of one or more internal componentssuch as a capacitor, battery, and/or memory, testing one or moreexternal components such as electrodes and/or testing systemfunctionality such as defibrillation energy delivery levels. In someembodiments, prior to executing one or more self-tests, AED 110 may senda wake-up signal to interface module 105 causing interface module 105 topower-on or wake-up from a sleep mode. In other embodiments, interfacemodule 105 may be configured to power-on or wake-up when interfacemodule 105 detects that AED 110 is on and/or when interface module 105detects movement, for example, by receiving an indication of movementfrom an internal accelerometer embedded within interface module 105.

After performing one or more diagnostic self-tests, AED 110 maycommunicate information such as status information related to one ormore self-tests to interface module 105, which may be removably coupledwith or permanently integrated into AED 110. Interface module 105 mayrecord the information in an internal memory such as non-volatile memory254. After interface module 105 has recorded the information receivedfrom AED 110, interface module 105 may signal AED 110 that the statusinformation has been stored. AED 110 and/or interface module 105 maythen power off to conserve battery power.

AED 110 may repeat the cycle of powering-on, running one or morediagnostic self-tests and sending status information to interface module105 weekly or monthly, for example. Non-volatile memory 254 may overtime comprise a table of status information related to AED 110 includinga date/time that the status information was received and/or that atleast one self-test related to the status information was executed.Further, if AED 110 comprises location determining functionality, AEDmay send location information such as map data related to the previouslocation of AED 110 to interface module 105. In some embodiments,interface module 105 may comprise functionality, for example, a locationdetermining unit 252 for determining one or more locations of AED 110.

In some embodiments, wireless dock 220 may automatically detect by usingQi-compliant wireless power technology whether interface module 105coupled with AED 110 is within range to communicate with and/or supplypower to interface module 105. If wireless dock 220 is not within rangeof the interface module 105, for example, AED 110 including interfacemodule 105 is not inside the AED cabinet 212 or located on the mountinghook 205, wireless dock 220 may record a time and date that the attemptto communicate with or provide power to interface module 105 occurred.If the wireless dock 220 is within range of interface module 105, theprocessor and memory of the wireless dock may be configured to cause theremovable interface module 105 to power-on by wirelessly transmitting apower-on or wake-up command to interface module 105. Further, wirelessdock 220 may provide power to interface module 105 wirelessly and chargeenergy storage device 246 of interface module 105 using Qi-compliantwireless power technology, for example.

In some embodiments, if AED 110 including interface module 105 arewithin range of wireless dock 220 and wireless dock 105 detects thatinterface module 105 has sufficient power, wireless dock 220 mayperiodically request and receive status information from interfacemodule 105 related to AED 110. One or more requests for statusinformation by wireless dock 220 may be transmitted wirelessly byinterface module 105 to wireless dock 220 using a low-power radiotransceiver, for example, using transmitter 266 packaged as atransceiver in an integrated circuit and received by receiver 236 ofinterface module 105 also packaged as a transceiver. Interface module105 may receive the request and respond by transmitting statusinformation wirelessly to wireless dock 220. Requests for statusinformation from wireless dock 220 to interface module 105 may occurperiodically, for example, daily, weekly or monthly.

Wireless dock 220 may transmit status information received frominterface 105 to a data center or management station, via the Internetfor example, when requested or periodically. In some embodiments,wireless dock 220 may have continuous connectivity with a data center ormanagement station. In some embodiments, data center or a managementstation may send a request to one or more wireless docks includingwireless dock 220, to send status information relating to AED 110. Whenwireless dock 220 receives the request for AED status information,wireless dock 220 may respond by sending AED status informationincluding data/time information and/or AED location information.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting a method 400 according to an exampleembodiment of the invention. At 405, power is received wirelessly from awireless dock such as wireless dock 220 and stored in a rechargeableenergy storage device such as energy storage device 246 of a removableinterface module, which is communicatively coupled with an AED.Interface module 105 of FIG. 3 may comprise at least one energy storagedevice 246 such as a rechargeable battery and/or super capacitor forproviding power to interface module 105. Interface module 105 mayfurther comprise a wireless power receiver 242 and wireless powercontroller 244 configured to receive power from a wireless powertransmitter such as wireless power transmitter 268 of wireless dock 220.Power may be received wirelessly from the wireless dock 220 and storedin energy storage device 246 when the AED is either powered-on,powered-off or in a sleep mode. A wireless dock such as wireless dock220 may receive power from at least one of A/C power source and abattery.

At 410, status information is received from an AED in a memory of aremovable interface module. For example, after one or more diagnosticself-tests, AED 110 may communicate information such as statusinformation related to one or more self-tests to interface module 105.Interface module 105 may receive the status information from AED 110 andrecord the information in an internal memory such as non-volatile memory254. After interface module 105 has recorded the information receivedfrom AED 110, interface module 105 may signal AED 110 that the statusinformation has been stored. AED 110 and/or interface module 105 maythen power off to conserve battery power.

At 415, status information is transmitted from a first low-power radiotransceiver such as transceiver 234/236 of the removable interfacemodule 105 to a second low-power radio transceiver 264/266 of AEDwireless dock 220 when the AED is powered off. Wireless dock 220 mayreceive status information from interface module 105 related to AED 110,which may be collected over time.

At 420, the status information is transmitted through a networkinginterface such as networking interface 282 of the wireless dock 220. Forexample, wireless dock 220 may transmit status information received frominterface module 105 to a data center or management station via theInternet when requested or periodically. In some embodiments, wirelessdock 220 may have continuous connectivity with a data center ormanagement station.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed ina different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, ifdesired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional ormay be combined.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independentclaims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations offeatures from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims withthe features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinationsexplicitly set out in the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes exampleembodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed ina limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modificationswhich may be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for communicating information includingdevice status information, comprising: a removable interface for anautomated external defibrillator (AED), the removable interfacecomprising: a first processor, and a first memory and a first low-powerradio transceiver communicatively coupled with the first processor andconfigured to, without requiring power from a battery of the AED,receive status information from the AED and send the status informationto a dock for the AED, wherein the removable interface is configured toreversibly couple to and decouple from the AED; and the dock for theAED, comprising: a second processor, a second memory and secondlow-power radio transceiver communicatively coupled with the secondprocessor and configured to receive the status information from theremovable interface and transmit the status information through anetworking interface to one or more networked elements or computers,wherein the dock is physically separate from the removable interface andphysically separate from the AED.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theremovable interface is configured to reversibly couple with the AED viaa Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the dock is configured to transmit the status information by thesecond low-power radio transceiver, through the networking interface ofthe dock.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the dock is configured totransmit the status information to at least one of one or more servercomputers, a data center and a network management station.
 5. The systemof claim 4, wherein the dock is configured to transmit the statusinformation upon receiving a request from the at least one of the one ormore server computers, the data center and the network managementstation.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the dock is configured totransmit the status information periodically.
 7. The system of claim 3,wherein the networking interface comprises one or more of a local areanetwork interface, a cellular interface and an Ethernet interface. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein the dock k powered by at least one of anA/C power source, an Ethernet cable and the battery.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the removable interface is configured to receive thepower from the dock.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the removableinterface is configured to receive the power from the dock when the AEDis powered off for storage in a rechargeable energy storage device ofthe removable interface.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstand second transceivers include Qi-compliant wireless power technology.12. The system of claim 1, wherein the second transceiver is configuredto receive data from the first transceiver.
 13. The system of claim 1,wherein the removable interface comprises a location determination unit.14. The system of claim 13, wherein the location determination unitcomprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, wherein the GPSreceiver configured to receive a location of the AED.
 15. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the removable interface is configured to power on inresponse to a detection of a movement of the AED.
 16. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the removable interface comprises at least oneaccelerometer for detection of movement of the AED.
 17. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the status information comprises at least one of: acode event, an amount of energy delivered during a self-test shock,patient information, GPS location information relating to the AED,status of the battery of the AED, and discharge data relating to acapacitor of the AED.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the statusinformation comprises at least one of: configuration information,troubleshooting information, repair information, and an electrodeexpiration date.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the statusinformation comprises self-test diagnostic results of the AED.
 20. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the status information comprises at least oneof: a first date and a first time that the status information wasreceived, and a second date and a second time that at least oneself-test related to the status information was executed.
 21. The systemof claim 1, wherein the first processor and first memory are configuredto receive software for the AED from the dock.
 22. The system of claim1, wherein the dock is configured to cause the removable interface topower on.
 23. A method for communicating information including devicestatus information, comprising: receiving, at a removable interface foran automated external defibrillator (AED), status information from theAED without requiring power from a battery of the AED, wherein theremovable interface is configured to reversibly couple to and decouplefrom the AED and comprises a first memory and a first low-power radiotransceiver coupled to a first processor; transmitting the statusinformation from the removable interface to a dock without requiring thepower from the battery of the AED, wherein the dock is physicallyseparate from the removable interface and physically separate from theAED; receiving the status information from the removable interface, atthe dock, wherein the dock comprises a second memory and a secondlow-power radio transceiver communicatively coupled to a secondprocessor; and transmitting the status information, by the secondlow-power radio transceiver, through a networking interface of the dockto one or more networked elements or computers.
 24. The method of claim23, comprising receiving, at the removable interface, the statusinformation from the AED, wherein the removable interface is coupledwith the AED via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.
 25. The methodof claim 23, comprising the removable interface receiving the power fromthe dock.
 26. The method of claim 23, comprising the removable interfacedetermining a location of the AED using a global positioning system(GPS) receiver of the removable interface.
 27. The method of claim 23,comprising the removable interface detecting movement of the AED usingat least one accelerometer of the removable interface.
 28. The method ofclaim 23, comprising the removable interface powering on in response toa detection of a movement of the AED.
 29. The method of claim 23,comprising the transmitting of the status information, wherein thestatus information comprises self-test diagnostic results of the AED.30. The method of claim 23, comprising the dock causing the removableinterface to power on.